December 1999

1

Braghis

Moldova: President Petru Lucinschi nominates Communist Party leader Vladimir Voronin as prime minister, but he is rejected by the parliament on December 7. On December 16 Lucinschi names Dumitru Braghis for the post, and he is confirmed on December 21. Mihai Manoli becomes finance minister and Vladimir Turcan interior minister, while Foreign Minister Nicolae Tabacaru and Defense Minister Boris Gamurari keep their posts.Namibia: In presidential elections held November 30 and December 1, incumbent Sam Nujoma (SWAPO) wins 76.8% of the vote, followed by Ben Ulenga (Congress of Democrats) with 10.5% and Katuutire Kaura (Democratic Turnhalle Alliance) with 9.6%. In parliamentary elections SWAPO wins 76.1% of the vote, the CoD 9.9%, and the DTA 9.5%. Turnout is 53%.

2

Comoros: A new government is appointed with Bianrifi Tarmidi as prime minister.

3

4

India: Viren J. Shah takes office as governor of West Bengal.

5

Mozambique: In presidential elections held December 3-5, incumbent Joaquim Chissano (Frelimo) wins 52.3% of the vote and Afonso Dhlakama (Renamo) 47.7%. In parliamentary elections Frelimo wins 48.5% of the vote (133 of 250 seats) and Renamo 38.8% (117).Uzbekistan: In the first round of parliamentary elections, 184 of 250 constituencies are decided. Of those elected, 98 belong to various regional government structures while 32 represent the People's Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, the successor to the Communist Party. Another 19 represent the Fidokorlar (Self Sacrifice) party. The Adolot (Justice) and Vatan Tarakkieti (Fatherland's Progress) parties pick up 9 seats each while Milli Tiklanish (National Renaissance) receives 6 seats. Citizens' groups representatives win 11 places. Turnout is 95%.

12

Chile: In the first round of presidential elections, Ricardo Lagos of the ruling centre-left Concertación coalition wins 48% of the vote, ahead of Joaquín Lavín of the right-wing Alliance for Chile coalition with 47.5% and Gladys Marín of the Communist Party with 3.2%. A runoff will be held January 16.Turkmenistan: In parliamentary elections, all 50 seats go to the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan, the only legal party.

20

China: The formerly Portuguese territory of Macau becomes a special administrative region of China, with Edmund Ho as chief executive.Tajikistan: President Emomali Rakhmonov appoints Akil Akilov as prime minister.

21

Bulgaria: In a cabinet reshuffle, Boiko Noev replaces Georgi Ananiev as defense minister and Emanuil Yordanov replaces Bogomil Bonev as interior minister.Sri Lanka: Chandrika Kumaratunga is reelected president with 51.1% of the votes; Ranil Wickremesinghe comes second with 42.7%. Turnout is about 73%.Wallis and Futuna: Former ruler of Sigave (1990-94) Lafaele Malau dies.

24

Brazil: Former president (1979-85) João Baptista de Oliveira Figueiredo dies.

Guéi

Côte d'Ivoire: President Henri Konan Bédié is ousted in a military coup led by Gen. Robert Guéi, who the following day is named president of a National Public Salvation Committee.France: Former foreign minister (1958-68) and prime minister (1968-69) Maurice Couve de Murville dies.